Patent GB-377991-A (GB)
Title: Hormone and process of obtaining the same
IPC: A61K31/56
Filed: 1931-02-27
Abstract: Two sexual hormones are obtained in pure crystalline form, from urine of pregnant animals, placentic or amniotic fluid by extraction with an organic solvent, followed by differential distribution of the two hormones present in the extract between an aqueous alkaline solvent and organic solvents non-miscible with water.  A method of preparation is described in detail.  The hormones are stated to have probable respective formul  C18H24O2, with two hydroxyl groups, and C18H24O3, with three hydroxyl groups.  The acetyl derivatives of each hormone is referred to, and information is given as to their solubilities in various solvents, and their crystalline structures, melting-points and iodine numbers.ALSO:Two sexual hormones are obtained, in pure crystalline form, from urine of pregnant animals, placent , or amniotic fluid by extraction with an organic solvent, evaporating the solvent, extracting the residue with aqueous alkali, extracting the solution so obtained with an organic solvent non-miscible with water, evaporating the solvent to obtain a residue to be extracted with aqueous alkali, and so on for a number of times. That part of the residues which is insoluble in alkali is discarded, the final solution in organic solvent yields one hormone (alpha), and the combined aqueous alkaline solutions remaining after extraction with organic solvent yield a second hormone (beta).  According to an example urine is acidified and extracted with butyl alcohol, the alcohol is distilled, the residue is leached with benzol, the benzol is distilled, the residue extracted with dilute aqueous caustic soda, the aqueous alkaline extract is extracted with sulphuric ether, the ether evaporated, the residue steam distilled to remove volatile matter, and the oily residue repeatedly treated with dilute caustic soda and with ether.  Alpha hormone is obtained from the final ether solution by evaporation of the ether, crystallization from ethyl alcohol, and recrystallization from aqueous ethyl alcohol, aqueous acetone, benzol, ethyl acetate, or petroleum ether, or from butyl alcohol on addition of petroleum ether.  The beta hormone is obtained from the combined aqueous alkaline solutions by acidification to give a crystalline precipitate, which is recrystallized from ethyl or butyl alcohol, or a mixture of butyl alcohol with petroleum ether. The original precipitate, on acidification, when too impure to be crystalline, may be extracted with sulphuric or petroleum ether, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and re-transferred to aqueous solution by extraction with dilute caustic soda.  The aqueous solution is washed with ether and acidified to yield crystals.  The hormones may be administered by injection or per os in aqueous or oily solutions. The hormones are stated to have probable respective formul  C18H24O2 with two hydroxyl groups, and C18H24O3 with three hydroxyl groups, the acetyl derivatives of each are referred to, and information is given as to their solubilities in various solvents, and their crystalline structures, melting points and iodine numbers. Their physiological properties are described.